China criticizes arrests of alleged spies in Europe

The arrest of several people in Europe over allegations of spying for China has ignited a fiery diplomatic response from Beijing.

China’s Foreign Ministry has criticized the actions, suggesting that the governments that made the charges are looking to tarnish its global image.

“We urge relevant parties to stop chasing shadows and vilifying China,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Wednesday.

The arrests came as Germany, the United Kingdom, and a number of other NATO members are on heightened alert over Chinese intelligence operations, technology theft, and surveillance of Chinese dissidents within their borders.